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Lord Henry wish'd to raise for a new purchase；
Also a lawsuit upon tenures burgage；
And one on tithes； which sure are Discord's torches；
Kindling Religion till she throws down her gage；
'Untying' squires 'to fight against the churches；'
There was a prize ox； a prize pig； and ploughman；
For Henry was a sort of Sabine showman。
There were two poachers caught in a steel trap；
Ready for gaol； their place of convalescence；
There was a country girl in a close cap
And scarlet cloak （I hate the sight to see； since…
Since… since… in youth； I had the sad mishap…
But luckily I have paid few parish fees since）：
That scarlet cloak； alas！ unclosed with rigour；
Presents the problem of a double figure。
A reel within a bottle is a mystery；
One can't tell how it e'er got in or out；
Therefore the present piece of natural history
I leave to those who are fond of solving doubt；
And merely state； though not for the consistory；
Lord Henry was a justice； and that Scout
The constable； beneath a warrant's banner；
Had bagg'd this poacher upon Nature's manor。
Now justices of peace must judge all pieces
Of mischief of all kinds； and keep the game
And morals of the country from caprices
Of those who have not a license for the same；
And of all things； excepting tithes and leases；
Perhaps these are most difficult to tame：
Preserving partridges and pretty wenches
Are puzzles to the most precautious benches。
The present culprit was extremely pale；
Pale as if painted so； her cheek being red
By nature； as in higher dames less hale
'T is white； at least when they just rise from bed。
Perhaps she was ashamed of seeming frail；
Poor soul！ for she was country born and bred；
And knew no better in her immorality
Than to wax white… for blushes are for quality。
Her black； bright； downcast； yet espiegle eye；
Had gather'd a large tear into its corner；
Which the poor thing at times essay'd to dry；
For she was not a sentimental mourner
Parading all her sensibility；
Nor insolent enough to scorn the scorner；
But stood in trembling； patient tribulation；
To be call'd up for her examination。
Of course these groups were scatter'd here and there；
Not nigh the gay saloon of ladies gent。
The lawyers in the study； and in air
The prize pig； ploughman； poachers； the men sent
From town； viz。； architect and dealer； were
Both busy （as a general in his tent
Writing despatches） in their several stations；
Exulting in their brilliant lucubrations。
But this poor girl was left in the great hall；
While Scout； the parish guardian of the frail；
Discuss'd （he hated beer yclept the 'small'）
A mighty mug of moral double ale。
She waited until justice could recall
Its kind attentions to their proper pale；
To name a thing in nomenclature rather
Perplexing for most virgins… a child's father。
You see here was enough of occupation
For the Lord Henry； link'd with dogs and horses。
There was much bustle too； and preparation
Below stairs on the score of second courses；
Because； as suits their rank and situation；
Those who in counties have great land resources
Have 'Public days；' when all men may carouse；
Though not exactly what 's call'd 'open house。'
But once a week or fortnight； uninvited
（Thus we translate a general invitation）；
All country gentlemen； esquired or knighted；
May drop in without cards； and take their station
At the full board； and sit alike delighted
With fashionable wines and conversation；
And； as the isthmus of the grand connection；
Talk o'er themselves the past and next election。
Lord Henry was a great electioneerer；
Burrowing for boroughs like a rat or rabbit；
But county contests cost him rather dearer；
Because the neighbouring Scotch Earl of Giftgabbit
Had English influence in the self…same sphere here；
His son； the Honourable Dick Dicedrabbit；
Was member for the 'other interest' （meaning
The same self…interest； with a different leaning）。
Courteous and cautious therefore in his county；
He was all things to all men； and dispensed
To some civility； to others bounty；
And promises to all… which last menced
To gather to a somewhat large amount； he
Not calculating how much they condensed；
But what with keeping some； and breaking others；
His word had the same value as another's。
A friend to freedom and freeholders… yet
No less a friend to government… he held；
That he exactly the just medium hit
'Twixt place and patriotism… albeit pell'd；
Such was his sovereign's pleasure （though unfit；
He added modestly； when rebels rail'd）；
To hold some sinecures he wish'd abolish'd；
But that with them all law would be demolish'd。
He was 'free to confess' （whence es this phrase？
Is 't English？ No… 't is only parliamentary）
That innovation's spirit now…a…days
Had made more progress than for the last century。
He would not tread a factious path to praise；
Though for the public weal disposed to venture high；
As for his place； he could but say this of it；
That the fatigue was greater than the profit。
Heaven； and his friends； knew that a private life
Had ever been his sole and whole ambition；
But could he quit his king in times of strife；
Which threaten'd the whole country with perdition？
When demagogues would with a butcher's knife
Cut through and through （oh！ damnable incision！）
The Gordian or the Geordi…an knot； whose strings
Have tied together mons； lords； and kings。
Sooner 'e lace into the civil list
And champion him to the utmost'… he would keep it；
Till duly disappointed or dismiss'd：
Profit he care not for； let others reap it；
But should the day e when place ceased to exist；
The country would have far more cause to weep it：
For how could it go on？ Explain who can！
He gloried in the name of Englishman。
He was as independent… ay； much more…
Than those who were not paid for independence；
As mon soldiers； or a mon… shore；
Have in their several arts or parts ascendance
O'er the irregulars in lust or gore；
Who do not give professional attendance。
Thus on the mob all statesmen are as eager
To prove their pride； as footmen to a beggar。
All this （save the last stanza） Henry said；
And thought。 I say no more… I 've said too much；
For all of us have either heard or read…
Off… or upon the hustings… some slight such
Hints from the independent heart or head
Of the official candidate。 I 'll touch
No more on this… the dinner…bell hath rung；
And grace is said； the grace I should have sung…
But I 'm too late； and therefore must make play。
'T was a great banquet； such as Albion old
Was wont to boast… as if a glutton's tray
Were something very glorious to behold。
But 't was a public feast and public day；…
Quite full； right dull； guests hot； and dishes cold；
Great plenty； much formality； small cheer；
And every body out of their own sphere。
The squires familiarly formal； and
My lords and ladies proudly condescending；
The very servants puzzling how to hand
Their plates… without it might be too much bending
From their high places by the sideboard's stand…
Yet； like their masters； fearful of offending。
For any deviation from the graces
Might cost both man and master too… their places。
There were some hunters bold； and coursers keen；
Whose hounds